Portable storage tank



Dec. 8, 1964 Filed March 28, 1963 R. F. KLEIN PORTABLE STORAGE TANK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Dec. 8, 1964 Filed March 28, 1963 R. F. KLEIN PORTABLE STORAGE TANK lan 4 SheetsSheet 5 WNW INVENTOR.

RICA/720 E E4 El/V Dec. 8, 1964 R. F. KLEIN PORTABLE STORAGE TANK F iled March 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 3/0/1920 E E4 E/N United States Patent 3,160,171 PGRTABLE STQRAGE TANK Richard il Klein, 233 Broadrnore Ave, West Covina, Calif. Fiied Mar. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 68,651 6 Clairns. (Cl. 131-344) The present invention relates in general to trailer-type vehicles, and more particularly to a mobile storage tank which may be transported to an operation site of use with the tank in a down position, and when at the site of use the tank may be elevated so that water or other liquid receivable therein may be discharged over a selected objective with a substantial pressure head.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable or mobile storage tank which includes a drum or tank member that is supported on wheeled frame structure, this frame structure being vertically extensible so that the tank may be disposed in a down position on the frame for minimum vehicle height and low center of gravity during transport, and so that the tank may be raised on the frame structure and releasably secured in an elevated position at a site of operation so that water or other liquid can be dispensed at a substantial height above the ground and with a substantial pressure head, as for example into a water wagon, and when the portable storage tank is no longer needed at that particular site, the drum or tank structure may then be again lowered to the down position for transport of the tank to another site.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable storage tank of the character described wherein support for the drum or tank member, when in the elevated as Well as the down position, is strategically located about the drum or tank member so that localized regions of stress are minimized and damage will not occur to the drum from bumps or Vibrations during transit or as a result of very heavy loads placed upon the supporting structure when the structure is vertically extended for placing the tank in the elevated position and the tank is filled with liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable storage tank trailer unit of the character described which has wheels that are vertically adjustable relative to the tank supporting structure, the wheels being securable in a lowered position relative to the supporting frame structure for towing, and the wheels being movable upwardly relative to the supporting frame structure so that the frame structure may be lowered to rest directly upon the ground at an operation site, whereby when the tank is raised and filled at the operation site the heavy weight of the liquid in the tank will not be placed on the wheels but will be placed on the supporting frame which rests on the ground.

A further object is to provide a mobile tank unit of the character described which embodies hydraulic ram means for moving the drum or tank member from its down position to its elevated position with respect to the frame, and for moving the frame from its lowered position when it rests upon the ground to its towing position above the ground wherein it is supported on wheels and by a towing vehicle.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a mobile tank unit of the character described wherein the tank or drum member in its raised position at a site of operation is adapted to be connected to a water hydrant, the tank having float valve means therein so that the hydrant can be left open and the tank will be automatically refilled with Water from the hydrant after some of the water has been discharged from the tank, and wherein the tank has rapid discharge pouring means there- 3,1 dbl 7 l Patented Dec. 8, ll 96% on for rapidly discharging a large volume of water upon the actuation of a suitable discharge control valve.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear during the course of the following part of this specification, wherein the details of construction and mode of operation of a preferred embodiment are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the portable storage tank unit'in towing position, with the tank in its down position relative to the frame, and with the frame supported on its wheels and by a towing vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the lower part of the frame structure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating the invention in position for use at a site of operation, with the frame disposed on the ground, and the drum or tank member in its elevated position.

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical section on the line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 66 in FIG. 2 showing details of the wheel mounting with respect to the frame.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal vertical section on the line '7 7 in FIG. 2 illustrating details of the base structure of the forward hydraulic ram and of the forward frame structure.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing a portion of the structure of FIG. 7 in another relative position.

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 99 in FIG. 3 illustrating the manner in which the telescoping tank support means is pinned together in the upper position of the tank.

The drawings illustrate a presently preferred portable tank trailer 10 according to the present invention. The trailer unit 10 includes a primary frame 12 having a front end 14 and a rear end 16, with a towing hitch 18 extending forwardly from the front end 14 of the frame so that the trailer 10 can be towed by a suitable vehicle 19, as shown in FIG. 1. A generally cylindrical drum or tank 2-9 is supported on the primary frame 12 in the manner hereinafter set forth in detail, with the axis of the drum or tank 29 being disposed generally horizontal and longitudinal with respect to the trailer 10.

The primary frame 12 includes upper side longitudinal frame members 22, lower side longitudinal frame members 24 which are interrupted by wheel well frame members 26, a transverse front end frame member 28 extendingbetween the forward'ends of the lower side longitudinal frame members 24, a transverse rear end frame member 3%) extending between the rear ends of the lower side longitudinal frame members 24, and a transverse center frame member 32 extending betWeen the lower side longitudinal frame members 24. Various inclined frame struts are provided for producing the desired structural strength and rigidity of the primary frame 12, as will be apparent from the drawings.

A transverse axle 34 supports Wheels 36 at its ends, the axle 34 being mounted on a wheel or axle frame 38 which is movable with respect to the primary frame 12. The wheel or axle frame 38 includes a pair of iongitudinal frame bars 40, each of which is pivotally connected at its forward end between a pair of vertical plates 42 which are welded or otherwise integrally secured at their lower ends to the transverse center frame member 32 and at their upper ends to a transverse frame member 44. The pivotal connection of each of the longitudinal frame bars 40 to its respective pair of vertical plates 42 is by means of a horizontal pivot pin 46 which extends through the plates 42 and frame bar 44 The rear end of each of the longitudinal frame bars 40 is vertically slidable between a pair of vertical plates 48 which are integrally fastened at their lower ends by welding or other suitable means to the transverse rear end frame member 30 and at their upper ends to a transverse frame member 50. Horizontal, transverse pin holes 52 are provided through the respective longitudinal frame bars 40 near their rear ends, and each pair of the rear vertical plates 48 is provided with alignedupper pin holes 54 and aligned lower pin holes 56, whereby a pair of wheel frame support pins 58 may be employed to pin the frame bars 40 in a down position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 wherein the wheels 36 engage the ground and the primary frame 12 is raised above the ground, or alternatively in an up position as shown in FIG. 3 and in phantom in FIG. '6 wherein the primary frame 12 is resting on the ground and the wheels 36 are completely recessed in thewheel well portion 26 of the primary frame. In the lower position of the longitudinal frame bars 40, each of the wheel frame support pins 58 extends through the respective frame bar pin hole 52 and the lower pin holes 56 of the respective pair of vertical plates 48, while in the upper position of the longitudinal frame bars 40 as shown in FIG.'3 and in phantom in FIG. 6, each of the wheel frame support pins 58 extends through the pin hole 52 of the respective bar 40 and the upper pin holes 54 of the respective pair of vertical plates 48.

The drum or tank 20 is mounted on the primary frame 12 by means of telescoping tank support structure 60. Included as a part ,of this telescoping tank support structure 60 are six vertical guide tubes 62 forming a part of the drum or tank 20, with three of the guide tubes 62 disposed on each side of the tank 20. Each of the guide tubes 62 is disposed with respect to the cylindrical wall of the tank is a veritcal secant, the guide tube 62 extending through two openings 64 in the wall of the tank and being Welded to the wall of the tank atthese openings. The entire weight of the tank and its contents is supported on these six guide tubes 62 during operation of the unit, and I have found this secant type mounting of the guide tubes 62 to provide excellent structural strength for mounting .the tank because of the relatively large area of the welded connections between the tubes 62 and the tank, because of the fact that there are 'two such welded connections for each tube 62 at widely spaced points on the tank, because of the fact that the cylindrical wall of the tank at these connections has a steep incline relative to the horizontal so that the wall of the tank at these points has excellent vertical rigidity, and because of the further fact that each of the guide tubes 62 provides a stiffener for the tank itself. If desired, each of the guide tubes 62 may be disposed outwardly from the position shown in the lrawings more toward the side of the tank, which would :ause the mounting to be more like a tangential mount ing, and similar benefits may'still be obtained.

Each guide tube 62 is closed at its upper end by means of a cap 66, which may be welded or otherwise secured the respective tube 62.

Forming integral parts of the primary frame 12 are liX vertically arranged support tubes 68, which have their ipper portions telescopingly arranged within the respec- Live guide tubes 62. V

The final members of the telescoping tank support itructure 60 are support rods 70 which are fastened to :he respective guide tube caps 66 and are telescopingly 'eceived within the respective support tubes 68. Each 1f the support rods 70 may be secured to the respective guide tube cap 66 by means of a bolt 72, or by other iuitable means. The support rods 70 may be tubular if iesired, as shown in FIG. 9.

It will thus be seen that when the tank 20 is in its lown position, the support tubes 68 extend within the respective guide tubes 62 for most of the length of the guide tubes 62, and the support rods 70 extend downwardly through most of the length of the respective support tubes 68. When the tank 20 is raised, the guide tubes 62 will slide upwardly over the respective support tubes 68, and the support rods 70 will slide upwardly through the respective support tubes 68. 7

Lock tabs or ears 74 are integrally secured, as by welding, to the upper side longitudinal frame members 22 proximate the corner support tubes 68, four of the lock tabs or cars 74 being provided; and complementary lock tabs or ears 76 are integrally secured, as by welding, to the respective guide tubes 62 proximate the lower ends of these guide tubes 62. Also, a horizontal lock hole 78 extends .through each of the support tubes 68, and complementary lock holes 80 extend through the respective support rods 70.

In the down position of the tank, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the lock tabs 74 on the primary frame and the lock tabs 76 on the guide tubes 62 will register, so that respective frame lock pins 82 may be extended therethrough to securely lock the tank in the down position. On the other hand, when the tank is raised to its elevated position as shown in FIG. 3, which may be accomplished after removing the frame lock pins 82 from engagement in the lock tabs 74 and 76, then the frame lock pins 82 are extended through the complementary lock holes 78 in support tubes 68 and lock holes 80 in support rods 70 to releasably lock the tank in its elevated position.

Offset somewhat to the rear of the front end 14 of the primary frame 12, and disposed on the transverse center of the portable tank trailer, is a vertically disposed front hydraulic cylinder 84. Similarly positioned, but somewhat offset forwardly from the rear end 16 of the primary frame is a vertically arranged rear hydraulic cylinder 86. The lower end of the front hydraulic cylinder 84 has base structure associated with the primary frame 12 as hereinafter described, in detail, and the front hydraulic cylinder 84 extends upwardly into a vertically arranged tubular shield 88 in the tank 20, shield 88 extending from the top center of the cylindrical wall of tank 20 downwardly and through the bottom center of the wall of tank 29, as best shown in FIG. 5. The rear hydraulic cylinder 86 is engaged at its base with the axle frame 38 as hereinafter described in detail, and the rear cylinder 86 extends upwardly into vertically arranged tubular shield 99 in the tank 29, the shield 91 having the same construction as shield 88.

Transverse structure 92 forming an integral part of the wheel frame 33 extends transversely between the two longitudinal frame bars 46, structure 92 having a recessed pad 94 against which the lower end of rear hydraulic cylinder 86 abuts, and which positions the lower end of rear hydraulic cylinder 86. V

Refenrin now to the supporting structure associated with the front hydraulic cylinder 84, there is a pair of spaced transverse structural members )6 forming an integral part of the primary frame 12 and disposed near the front end of the primary frame. These transverse structural members 96 each have an upwardly extending, integral ear 98 having a horizontal, longitudinally directed hole 106 therethrough.

Base structure 1112 is attached to the front hydraulic cylinder 84, and includes a transverse bottom member 164 disposed between the transverse structural frame members 96 in an upper position of the member 1114 and disposed below the members 96 in a lower position of the member 164, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 7, respectively.

110 which is securely clamped about the front hydraulic cylinder 84.

Each of the vertical side members 1% has a longitudinally directed horizontal hole 112 extending therethrough just above the transverse bottom member 164. By this means, the front cylinder base structure 1M may be releasably locked in an upper position with respect to the primary frame 12 as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 by extending a pair of front cylinder support pins 114 through the registering ear holes 1% on the frame and side member holes 112 on the front cylinder base structure. When the front cylinder support pins 114 are removed, then the front cylinder base structure 162 may be moved downwardly with respect to the primary frame 12 as shown in FIG. 7.

A forwardly and upwardly extending inclined structural member 116 on the transverse center of the unit extends from the forward transverse structural member 96 to the towing hitch 18, and pivotally supported on this inclined structural member 116 is a manual jack 118. The jack 118 is normally stored against the upper surface of the inclined structural member 116 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and is adapted to be pivoted to a generally upright position as shown in FIG. 7 so as to be engageable against the central clamp 11% which forms a part of the front cylinder base structure 102, in which position the jack 118 may be manually actuated so as to raise the front cylinder base structure 162 and hence the front cylinder from its lower position as shown in FIG. 7 to its upper position as shown in PEG. 8, at which time the front cylinder support pins 114 may be engaged to secure the front cylinder and its base structure in the upper position of FIG. 8 and the jack 118 may be released and again pivoted down to its inoperative position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A hydraulic system i provided, which has not been shown in detail because it comprises conventional hydraulic components. However, this hydraulic system includes respective hydraulic fluid ports 12% and 122 on the front and rear hydraulic cylinders 84 and 86, respectively, for connection with suitable hydraulic fluid conduits. The hydraulic system also'includes a hydraulic fluid control valve 124 for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the front cylinder fluid port 120, and a hydraulic fluid control valve 126 for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the rear cylinder fluid port 122.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the hydraulic cylinders includes a piston 12% slidable therein, with a piston rod 13% extending from the piston 12% upwardly through the cylinder and secured at the top of the rod 131? to the top center of the tank 20. The two hydraulic cylinders and the frame and supporting structure for the tank are arranged in such a manner that the hydraulic cylinders 84 and 86 need only be single-acting ram type cylinders which extend under the influence of hydraulic fluid pressure, and which contract by the weight of the tank upon the release of hydraulic fluid pressure. Accordingly, the hydraulic system for the present invention is very simple. I prefer to have the control valves 124 and 126 disposed in the hydraulic system in such a manner that when each is moved to an upper position, it admits hydraulic fluid under pressure to its respective hydraulic cylinder, and so that when each is in a lower position, it permits controlled release of the hydraulic fluid from its respective cylinder.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, a large diameter fluid outlet conduit 132 extends outwardly from the rear end of tank 29, fluid outlet conduit 132 having a shut-elf valve 134 therein, the valve 134 having an external actuating arm 136 which may be manipulated between closed and open positions of the valve by means of pull cords 138 which extend downwardly to within the reach of an operator when the tank is in its elevated position as shown in FIG. 3.

An air vent 149 extends upwardly from the fluid outlet conduit 132 downstream of valve 134 to break the vacuum when valve 134 is closed at the end of a pouring cycle, so that Water or other liquid will quickly drain out of the pouring spout.

A flange 142 is provided at the outer end of the fluid outlet conduit 132.

The pouring spout 144 is provided with a flange 146 at its base end which is hinged to flange 142 by a suitable hinge connection 148 to permit the pouring spout 144 to be swung from its extended pouring position as shown in FIG. 3 wherein the flanges 142 and 146 are fully mated to an upper, collapsed position as shown in FIG. 1 for transit. In the down or pouring position of the spout 144 as shown in FIG. 3, the flanges 14-2 and 146 are clamped together by any suitable means, such as by bolts extending through suitable holes in the flanges.

Eyelets 154D and 152. are provided on the spout and tank, respectively, for attachment of a support cord 154 which assists in holding the pouring spout 144 in its proper pouring position as shown in FIG. 3, and for providing means to secure the pouring spout 144 in its collapsed, upper position of FIG. 1 for transit.

A liquid inlet pipe 156 is connected to the tank 20 at the front wall of the tank near the top of the tank. The inlet pipe 156 is adapted to be connected to a hydrant at an operation site by a suitable hose connection. inlet pipe is connected to a float valve 158 disposed within the tank adjacent the top thereof, the float valve 158 being open whenever the liquid level is below the desired full level so that liquid will automatically enter the tank through the pipe 156, and the float valve 158 being automatically closed when the liquid level reaches the desired full point. Employment of the float valve 158 permits a hydrant which is connected to the pipe 156 to be left open while the tank is operatively employed at an operation site, and filling and refilling of the tank will thus be automatic from the hydrant.

A removable access cover 1649 is provided on the top of the tank adjacent the front end to provide access to the float valve 153, if necessary.

Operation The portable tank trailer 10 has been shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 with the parts thereof secured in proper position for transport of the unit. In this condition of the unit, the wheel frame 38 is in its lower position, with the frame bars 4% pinned in the lower pin holes 56 of the frame by the wheel frame support pins 58, so that the wheels 36 engage to the ground and the rear portion of the primary frame 12 is elevated above the ground. In this condition of the unit the front cylinder base structure 1&2 is supported above the ground by the front cylinder support pins 114 extending through holes 112 in the base structure 162 and holes liltl on the frame. Further, during transport of the unit, the pouring spout 144 is folded upwardly and secured against the rear wall of the tank. Also, during transport the tank 26 is in its lower position and is secured in that position by engagement of four frame lock pins 82 through the registered holes in the frame lock tabs '74 and the lock tabs 76 which are on the tank guide tubes 62. During transport the tank 20 will normally be empty.

When the unit has been towed to the job site, it is 7 moved to a position directly over a solid, level ground base. The hydraulic system is then actuated, as by turning on an electric motor driven hydraulic pump. Control valve 126 is manipulated to admit hydraulic fluid under pressure to rear hydraulic cylinder 86, causing extension of cylinder 86. Since the tank Zll is secured to the primary frame 12 by means of the frame lock pins 82, this extension of hydraulic cylinder 36 will tend to raise the primary frame 12 relative to the wheel frame 33, which will relieve the weight on wheel frame support'pins 58, so that pins 58 can be removed. Then, the control valve 126 is manipulated to relieve hydraulic fluid from cylinder 86, permitting cylinder 86 to contract and allowing the rear portion of the primary frame 12 to settle to the ground. The wheel frame support pins 58 are then replaced, but are engaged through the upper pin holes 54 and the pin holes 52 in frame bars 40, thus securing the wheel frame 38 in its upper position relative to the primary frame 12.

Next, the front cylinder'support pins 11 1 are removed, thus releasing the connection between the front cylinder base structure 102 and the primary frame 12. Control valve 124 is then manipulated to admit hydraulic fluid under pressure to the front hydraulic cylinder 84, thus extending the cylinder 84 and moving the front cylinder base structure 102 downwardly into engagement with the ground, which will raise the towing hitch 18 and permit the uncoupling of towing hitch 18 from the towing vehicle 19. Control valve 124- is then manipulated so as to relieve hydraulic fluid from the front hydraulic cylinder 84, permitting the forward end of the primary frame 12 to settle to the ground. In this position, the pin holes 112 in the front cylinder base structure 102 will again register with the frame holes 100, and the front cylinder support pins 114 are again positioned in these holes so as to secure the front cylinder base structure 102 to the primary frame 12.

Next, the four frame lock pins 82 which had been employed for locking the tank to the primary frame are removed, so as to free the tank for elevation with respect to the primary frame 12, and both of the hydraulic fluid control valves 124 and 126 are manipulated to admit fluid to the respective hydraulic cylinders 84 and 86, causing the cylinders to extend and elevating the tank to its upper, elevated position as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the tank is fully elevated, the lock holes 78 in the six support tubes 68 will register with the lock holes 80 in the respective support rods '70, and six frame lock pins 82 are engaged in the registering holes to lock the tank in its elevated position. The hydraulic system can be turned off at this point.

The pouring spout 144 is swung down to its operative position as shown in FIG. 3, and the flanges 142 and 146 are secured together. The liquid inlet pipe 156 may then be coupled to a suitable water hydrant, which can be turned to its open position and left open. The tank will thus be filled with water, and the float valve 158 will cause water to automatically flow into the tank when the level in the tank is lowered, so as to automatically replenish water in the tank.

One of the principal advantages of this invention is the ease with which the tank is transported from one area to another. It completely eliminates the old style method of employing a hoisting crane and a crew of men with a truck, who have to lift the tank from stationary mounts, dismantle the superstructure, move it, then rebuild the superstructure before the tank can again be mounted by the crane. This invention is so designed and constructed that one man and a truck can handle the entire operation of moving the tank from one place to another as a trailer and can both raise and lower the tank by means of a set of controls. Thus there is a considerable saving in time and money to the owner each time it is necessary to move the tank.

Although the tank can be employed for a variety of uses, a typical use is where a number of water wagons are employed at a job site, and have previously been required to be filled directly from the hydrant, which often took on the order of to minutes for a 3,000 gallon wagon, this time reducing the amount of work time available for the water wagons, and creating a bottleneck where other wagons often had to wait to get to the hydrant. By employing the present invention, the water wagon driver can simply drive under the pouring spout 144-, and because of the large diameter of the fluid outlet conduit 132 and the pouring spout 144, gravity discharge of water from the tank 20 upon manipulation of the valve 134 will be so rapid that a 3,000 gallon wagon .can be filled in a matter of only about 30 to seconds. Then, the float valve 158 in tank 20 will cause the tank 20 to be automatically refilled from the hydrant and thus ready to fill another water wagon or to refill the same wagon when its returns empty. In this manner, the present invention virtually eliminates wasted time at the hydrant, and completely cuts this bottleneck. The use of the tank thus increases job operation efficiency'to such an extent that it .has been found on some jobs that as much as two out of three water wagons can be eliminated without diminishing the amount of work accomplished.

The present invention has been found highly useful even where local water pressure is very high and hydrant facilities are adequate to fill a water wagon in a relatively short period of time, because without the present invention, the driver of the water wagon still would have to get off of his rig, connect the hose, start a pump or open a valve and shut down when the tank is full, which requires about 5 minutes which can be eliminated by the present invention.

When it is desired to move the tank, the first step is to drain all water from the tank. The hydraulic system is then actuated, and the control valves 124 and 126 are manipulated to admit hydraulic fluid under pressure to the cylinders 84 and 86, so as to slightly raise the tank with respect to the primary frame until the frame lock pins 82 become loose and can be removed from engagement in the holes 78 and 80 through support tubes 68 and support rods 70,.respcctively. After the frame lock pins 82 are thus removed, the valves 124 and 126 are manipulated to relieve hydraulic fluid from the respective cylinders 84 and 86, which then permits the tank 20 to settle down to its lowered position relative to the primary frame 12, at which position the tank is secured to the primary frame at the four corners thereof by engagement of four frame lock pins 82 through the registering holes in lock tabs 74 on the frame and lock tabs 76 on the tank guide tubes 62.

Then, to prepare the unit for transport, the front cylinder support pins 114 are removed to free the front cylinder base structure 102 from the primary frame 12, and this removal of pins 114 may be facilitated by employing the manual jack 118 to slightly raise the front cylinder base structure 102 with respect to the primary frame 12. The wheel frame support pins 58 are also .removed. Then, with the hydraulic system actuated, control valve 124 is manipulated to extend front hydraulic cylinder 84, thus forcing the front cylinder base structure 102 downwardly and raising the front end of primary frame 12, whereby the towing hitch 18 is raised to the proper height for connecting it to the towing vehicle. Then, with the front cylinder control valve 124 in its release position to permit hydraulic fluid to be relieved from front cylinder 84, the hand jack 118 is engaged between structural member 116 and the clamp and is actuated to lift the front cylinder base structure 102 and front cylinder 84 until the front cylinder support pins 114 may again be engaged as shown in FIG. 8 to lock the front cylinder base structure 102 to the primary frame 12. The manual jack 118 is then pivoted down to its transport position against the structural member 116 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

With the hydraulic system actuated, the rear cylinder control valve 126 is then manipulated to admit hydraulic fluid under pressure to rear cylinder 86, which will extend rear cylinder 86 and raise the rear portion of primary frame 12 with respect to the wheel frame 38, and when the tank frame is fully raised with respect to the wheel frame, the wheel frame support pins 58 are inserted through the lower frame pin holes 56 and the frame bar pin holes 52. Then, with the liquid inlet pipe 156 disconnected from the hydrant, and the pouring spout 144 in its transport position as shown in FIG. 1, the trailer is ready for transport.

While the instant invention has been shown and de scribed herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

What I claim is:

1. A portable storage tank for liquids which comprises a wheel assembly, a trailer frame, a generally cylindrical tank supported on said frame in a generally horizontal and longitudinally extending position and so as to be vertically movable between a down position and an elevated position with respect to said frame, elevating means engaged between said tank and frame for moving said tank between said down and elevated positions, vertically telescoping guide and support means comprising a plurality of telescoping units connecting said frame and tank for guiding said tank between its down and elevated positions and supporting said tank in its elevated position, said guide and support means being collapsed in the down position of the tank and extended in the elevated position of the tank, and releasable locking means for locking said guide and support means in its extended position for supporting the tank in its elevated position, said tank including liquid input means and liquid discharge means, each telescoping unit including a vertically arranged outer tubular member recessed inwardly from the side of the cylindrical wall of the tank and integrally connected to the tank, each of said telescoping units also including an elongated, vertically arranged support member integrally secured to and extending upwardly from the frame and telescopically received in a respective outer tubular member.

2. A portable storage tank as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said telescoping units includes an inner support rod fastened at its upper end to the respective said outer tubular member and extending downwardly in telescoping relationship within the respective said tubular elongated support member, said releasable locking means comprising generally horizontal holes through said support members and rods which register in the elevated position of the tank to receive removable pin members.

3. A portable storage tank for liquids which comprises a primary trailer frame having front and rear ends, towing means extending forwardly from said front end of the primary frame, a wheel frame having wheels supported thereon, said wheel frame being movably mounted on a rearward portion of said primary frame so as to be movable with respect to said primary frame between a lower position wherein the rear end of said primary frame is supported by the wheels above the ground and an upper 10 position wherein the rear end of the primary frame rests on the ground, said wheel frame being alternatively releasably lockable to said primary frame in its said lower position, a tank supported on said primary frame so as to be vertically movable between a down position and an elevated position with respect to said primary frame, said tank including liquid input means and liquid discharge means, a generally vertically arranged rear hydraulic ram engaged between said wheel frame and said tank, and a generally vertically arranged front hydraulic ram engaged at its upper end with said tank and having base structure at its lower end releasably lockable to a forward portion of said primary frame, and means for releasably locking the tank to the primary frame in said down position of the tank, whereby the tank may be elevated by actuating said rams to extend the rams when the tank is unlocked from the primary frame, and the primary frame may be raised from the ground by actuating said rams to extend the rams when the tank is locked to the primary frame in said down position of the tank and said wheel frame and front ram base structure are unlocked from the primary frame.

4. A portable storage tank as defined in claim 3, wherein said wheel frame is pivotally mounted on said primary frame.

5. A portable storage tank as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said hydraulic rams engages the tank proximate the top of the tank.

6. A portable storage tank as defined in claim 3, which includes jack means on said primary frame for raising said front hydraulic ram base structure from the ground to its position wherein it is lockable to said forward portion of the primary frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 746,389 12/03 Schmidt 74-179 2,249,250 7/41 Menard 280-51 2,517,304 8/50 Greening 2805 2,706,880 4/55 Steuerwald 280-43 2,861,708 11/58 Sasserson et al. 220-71 3,040,785 6/62 Grindle 222-l76 3,080,196 3/63 Darby 28043.23

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,190,992 4/59 France.

M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE STORAGE TANK FOR LIQUIDS WHICH COMPRISES A WHEEL ASSEMBLY, A TRAILER FRAME, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL TANK SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME IN A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING POSITION AND SO AS TO BE VERTICALLY MOVABLE BETWEEN A DOWN POSITION AND AN ELEVATED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME, ELEVATING MEANS ENGAGED BETWEEN SAID TANK AND FRAME FOR MOVING SAID TANK BETWEEN SAID DOWN AND ELEVATED POSITIONS, VERTICALLY TELESCOPING GUIDE AND SUPPORT MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TELESCOPING UNITS CONNECTING SAID FRAME AND TANK FOR GUIDING SAID TANK BETWEEN ITS DOWN AND ELEVATED POSITIONS AND SUPPORTING SAID TANK IN ITS ELEVATED POSITION, SAID GUIDE AND SUPPORT MEANS BEING COLLAPSED IN THE DOWN POSITION OF THE TANK AND EXTENDED IN THE ELEVATED POSITION OF THE TANK, AND RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID GUIDE AND SUPPORT MEANS IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION FOR SUPPORTING THE TANK IN ITS ELEVATED POSITION, SAID TANK INCLUDING LIQUID INPUT MEANS AND LIQUID DISCHARGE MEANS, EACH TELESCOPING UNIT INCLUDING A VERTICALLY ARRANGED OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER RECESSED INWARDLY FROM THE SIDE OF THE CYLINDRICAL WALL OF THE TANK AND INTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO THE TANK, EACH OF SAID TELESCOPING UNITS ALSO INCLUDING AN ELONGATED, VERTICALLY ARRANGED SUPPORT MEMBER INTEGRALLY SECURED TO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE FRAME AND TELESCOPICALLY RECEIVED IN A RESPECTIVE OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER. 